Monday, November 29, 2010

I have done the red theme for the past several years on my mantel, and I wanted a more natural, softer look this year. You know, you gotta mix it up every once in a while.

Since I have a plethora of red decorations for this space, I couldn’t really justify spending a lot of money on new items. So…I had to get creative.

Thanks to some inspiration from Stephanie Lynn, I cut up some old sweaters I had and used the sleeves as little “socks” for some vases I had in the basement. I hot glued the base to smooth out the bottom, but the tops just have a natural tension that wraps around the vase.

I think when you use a monochromatic scheme, you need to incorporate some texture to vary it. Luckily, the free sweater sleeves did just that!

The garland itself? Well, it’s a whole bunch of hodge podge. I used the garland I’ve always used on the fireplace, but I wanted it much airier, fuller, and (again) textural.

I went into my backyard and clipped a bunch of long-needle pine branches. I don’t suspect they’ll withstand the heat of the fireplace for very long, but they sure are pretty!

My neighbors never trimmed back their tall, ornamental grasses from this summer. In true creeper blogger form, I ran next door and clipped a bunch of them off. It was just the filler I was looking for!

I will admit that resting the garland on top of the mantel definitely intrudes upon your decorating space. Getting all those candles and stands to stay straight felt like the clown spinning plates at the circus. I’m going to choose to walk away. For now. And not let it bother me.

I’ll be linking up to Layla’s place later today for her “Holiday Home” mantel party. Come join the fun!

In the spirit of anticipation, the lucky winner will be announced at this post! For those of you who don’t win, here’s your Cyber Monday Deal! Just click on one of the ads below and enter the special code “jagirl” when you place your order.

TODAY ONLY!!!

Click on any of the Silhouette ads in this post

Enter code jagirl

Wrap it and put it under the Christmas tree from “Santa”

From now until midnight, you can get a Silhouette machine for $199!! That’s a savings of $100! And it doesn’t stop there. Of course it doesn’t. You will also receive--

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Talk about one generous company! Thanks to “illness 2010” I’m a little late getting this announced, but I’m sure you’ve seen that a handful of us have been asked to give away another Silhouette machine. You know, THEE Silhouette machine. The one that I did this(the pictures will take you to the posts)…

and this…

and this with.

And don’t get me started on the holiday projects that this bad boy can kick out for you! Could you imagine cutting those spider webs out by hand. Yeah, let’s not.

If you’re wondering, “When will I ever get a free Silhouette machine?”, your time is NOW! Here’s what the winner will receive.

A Silhouette Machine (a $299.99 value)

It will include the following:

Software for Windows XP/Vista, Mac

Power cable, USB cable

Two cutting mats (one for thick media, one for thin media)

One cutting blade

$10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store

If you’re wondering, “How can I enter for this free Silhouette machine?”, here’s how!

Leave a comment here. Easy peasy, lemon squeazy.

Tweet about it and link back to here. Spread the love!

Write about it on Facebook linking back to here.

Write a big ol’ blog post on it and link back. You know, to here.

Fine print: The winner must be in the US and may only win once (considering there are several hosts).

There’s MORE!

Cyber Monday! Cyber Monday! Cyber Monday!

The giving just doesn’t end! Perhaps you won’t be at Target at 4am like some ridiculously crazy people that I know. Maybe you don’t plan on dragging your mom and best friend to Kohls at the crack of dawn. However, YOU can get a cra-za-zay-zy deal on a Silhouette of your very own even if you don’t win!

Starting at 4AM (when someone will be at Target) until midnight, you can get a Silhouette machine for $199!! That’s a savings of $100! And it doesn’t stop there. Of course it doesn’t. You will also receive--

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Some rooms definitely lend themselves better to the warm colors of fall. Some rooms? Yeah, they don’t.

Instead of trying to force fall colors into my “lighter” rooms, I decided to roll with it. I “shopped” my fall bins to see what lighter items I had, and this is what I came up with.

It’s still warm, right? It’s still festive, no? My husband came home, saw the frame and asked, “Who’s that in the picture?” I flippantly replied, “ Who cares who they are?” and walked away. That’ll show him for noticing something.

I grabbed all the spray-painted white pumpkins I have and threw them in this basket. Add some pinecones from the backyard, sprinkle with some feather boa and serve!

Stephanie Lynn asked me to make an ornament for her upcoming party, and I started to have heart palpitations. This is what I came up with. I’ll show you the tutorial over at her place next week!

Okay. You ready for some winners? Winners, send me an e-mail. Here we go.

Courtney at A Thoughtful Place knows how to gift give. I am totally doing this! I love the possibilities of it, and she shows us different ways to use them! Way to go!

By now, you might know that I get weak in the knees when it comes to packaging. I am drooling over these little bags. How simple yet so charming! Beth at It is What it Is used these as a Christmas advent (of course!), but you can use them for whatever you like!

Orange it Lovely is a girl after my own heart. Pottery Barn and glitter. Oh, and saving money. Perfect combination! These would be great to attach to my presents to my teenage nieces. The wheels, people! They’re turnin!

Speaking of high-priced decor on the cheap, Carrie at Dittle Dattle replicated a Ballard Designs monogram wreath. I think this might be my neighbor gift this year. This way, I can drive by their houses and think how cool I am for making them such a beautiful gift. Or I can drive by their houses and curse them for not putting my wreath on their doors.

Uh oh. We’ve got a sewer, people. Stand by. Oh, wait. After reading her instructions, I just might be able to do this. Go see the tree these are on at Running with Scissors. Too. cute.

Oh. My. Word. Want. IT. How charming and simple and delicate and seasonal. Go to the I Design Box for directions (and a gorgeous horse print on the wall!).

I’ll be back to announce the winners—no, I haven’t forgotten. I’ve got some projects I’m working on, and I’ve got 754 loads of laundry to complete.

Friday, November 19, 2010

This week was the annual “lighting of the town” where I live. It included Christmas music, a countdown to the lighting, lots of discounts in our boutiques, and some good food with a bunch of my girlfriends. It also included Christmas carolers. The man on the right is my friend from work. Yes, he’s much cooler than we are.

All the stores had their Christmas Mojo going. Beautiful trees, festive music, and LOTS of Christmas atmosphere.

I want to be one of these figurines.

My favorite tree by far, and I just couldn’t get a good picture of it with my crappy point and shoot. Note to self: Always bring your “big dog” camera.

All the stores had their themed trees, and it was really nice being able to see how they can be decorated—even if they are upside down.

All the stores had their themed trees, and it was really nice being able to see how they can be decorated.

Since we’re on the theme of Christmas, what better time to host a festive giveaway? This week we’re having a…

Home for the Holidays Giveaway

Begin with a Sunny Outlook is a website created for women that focuses on better outdoor living at home, including all the domestic interests women have in making their house and yard a home. Their topics cover ways for women to see their outdoors as part of their home, and ideas to help make their outdoors most enjoyable.

They’re giving away two coffee mugs and a 16-oz choice of Starbucks coffee to one lucky (US) commenter.

All you have to do is go check out their three projects/inspirations and tell me which one you’d enjoy most in your yard in the comments! How fun, right?

Sunday, November 14, 2010

I don’t know what it is, but the idea of this party makes the reality of the Christmas season really set in for me. Our shopping days are numbered—kinda like the dollars in our bank account—so I’m pretty darn excited to see all the inspiration.

Speaking of Handmade Holidays, my friend Layla gave my living room a little “holiday hook-up” recently. I asked for one little trim work switcheroo, and she went Christmas Cra-za-zy on me!

Asking you to go check out her blog is a bit like Gayle asking if you’ve ever heard of her friend Oprah, but if you missed the post(s), you should go see what she did!

Okay. Let’s get this party going! Link up, read up, and use up all the ideas you can!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Before I say anything else, I want to make sure to remind you that Monday is a BIG, BIG day at JaG! W'e’re kicking off the holiday season with the 3rd annual Handmade Holiday party! Work like crazy over the weekend and get those tutorials ready! See you then!

If you’re the type of person who’s looking for a good deal every day (who are we kidding, right?), then my giveaway this week is JUST for you!

A Side of Peaches is a daily deal site that offers goodies for women for 50-80% off! This is one site that you will not want to miss! It’s basically like Christmas every day. You never know what you’re gonna get!

A Side of Peaches is offering this B-U-Ti-Ful owl locket for one lucky linker! I love this, and I have three outfits picked out for it. Just sayin’…

Link on up, and I’ll announce the winner next week! I can’t WAIT to see what you’ve been up to this week!